Rachel Plunkett's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

I graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Environmental Policy and a minor in Marine Science in May, 2011. In addition to academic coursework, I assisted faculty with research, worked as a writer for a student/faculty department newsletter, and I also interned for AmeriCorps and New Jersey PIRG through the NJ Community Water Watch (NJCWW) program...

I graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Environmental Policy and a minor in Marine Science in May, 2011. In addition to academic coursework, I assisted faculty with research, worked as a writer for a student/faculty department newsletter, and I also interned for AmeriCorps and New Jersey PIRG through the NJ Community Water Watch (NJCWW) program as a Water Education Intern. I am currently seeking a full-time position as an informal educator or a program coordinator at a museum, science center, nature conservancy or other related institution that specializes in providing unique learning experiences in the natural sciences. For the future, I also intend to enroll in a two-year MS program in marine biology or a related field.Program Specialist @ From February 2013 to Present (2 years 11 months) Science Instructor @ From September 2012 to Present (3 years 4 months) Animal Experience Specialist @ • Facilitate interactive guest experiences at four touch exhibits in Adventure Aquarium. I provide guests with information about the species in each tank; and assist guests with touching the animals. These tanks contain aquatic animals ranging from invertebrates such as echinoderms, crustaceans, and mollusks; to cartilaginous fishes such as carpet sharks, ground sharks, and saltwater stingrays. • Coordinate the guest experiences scheduled for each day, such as the Stingray Beach Club Public Feedings; Stingray Beach Club Public Wades; and the Ocean Shows. • Participate in animal ‘up-close’ trainings to learn about and practice handling some of the rodentia and reptiles cared for by the Animal Husbandry Birds and Mammals Staff at the aquarium. • Assist Animal Husbandry Fish and Invertebrates Staff with feeding the animals in the touch tanks whenever an opportunity exists to help out. From February 2012 to September 2012 (8 months) Ocean Science Education Intern @ Communicating Ocean Science to Informal Audiences (COSIA) Internship: Developed and taught hands-on lessons at 4-H Science Engineering and Technology (SET) camps around NJ, including a one week overnight camp at the Lindley G. Cook 4-H Youth Center for Outdoor Education Acted as a mentor to students at educational and recreational events and assisted students in preparing for presentations. From May 2011 to August 2011 (4 months) Intern @ Researched fish biology and physiology in relation to food science and developed a scientific reference matrix for exhibit designers. Taught hands-on marine science lessons to high school students participating in the Liberty Science Center's Ocean Science Residency program From May 2011 to August 2011 (4 months) Canvasser/Interviewer @ Administered interviews in Monmouth and Mercer counties to assess burden of Asian Tiger-Mosquito on NJ residents and determine the level of exigency for better mosquito control programs From October 2010 to December 2010 (3 months) Hostess @ Greet and accommodate customers; manage floor plan and guest flow; answer phone and handle take-out orders From March 2010 to October 2010 (8 months) Intern - Education and Events Coordinator @ Performed water quality assessments of phosphorous, nitrogen and dissolved oxygen, for local tributaries in the Piscataway/New Brunswick/East Brunswick area that drain into the Raritan River Attended a 10 day disaster relief trip to Clarksville, Iowa to help clean-up and rebuild a community devastated by a series of tornados and flooding Visited local schools and summer Parks & Recreation programs to conduct interactive Project WET activities on topics such as: global freshwater resources & scarcity; groundwater & runoff; non-point source pollution; and water resource stewardship and sustainability. I educated over 300 local citizens upon completion of the internship. Organized and instructed a 6 week K-3rd grade Water Education Program for Parkview Elementary SACC students. Continuous involvement with canvassing and public outreach initiatives for several other student PIRG campaigns on campus such as: EnergyCorps, Hunger and Homelessness, and Transportation Solutions From January 2009 to August 2009 (8 months) Research Assistant @ Performed database searches and created document archives for faculty doing research on Political Islam Worked with other student researchers to interpret results and prepare symposium presentations From September 2008 to December 2008 (4 months) Canvasser @ Administered surveys for voter opinion polls Discuss current issues and campaign agenda with local citizens From September 2008 to November 2008 (3 months) BS, Environmental Policy, Marine Science @ Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick From 2007 to 2011